Press Release

Hispanics Continue to Fight the Odds in Labor

(Washington DC) – Today's disappointing jobs report marked the economy's lowest job increase since December, 2013. The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced an increment of only 126,000 jobs for March, well below economists' predictions. The national Unemployment rate among Hispanics grew to 6.8 percent, further widening the gap with the national rate – which remained unchanged – at 5.5 percent. The report was yet another red flag in a set of indicators that reflect a struggling economy. The Department of Commerce recently confirmed the nation's rate of economic growth slowed to 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014 -- with further slowdown seen so far this year. Wages remain low with a mild increase of only 0.3 percent and many Americans remain underemployed, including 1.4 million Hispanics who remain in part-time work when they would prefer to work full-time.

Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

"It's amazing how this administration continues to turn a blind eye to the economic struggles of many Americans while boasting about a growing economy. In the seven years under this administration's failed economic policies, many are wondering about the strength of the U.S. economy. Rather than develop a plan to engage private sector job and wage growth, we've seen the president call for more growth in Taxes and unnecessary government spending.

With the highest participation rate of any demographic – Hispanics continue to look for any opportunity to prosper but are finding too few. The time has come for the president to emulate this sheer determination to succeed and enact policies that clear the way for businesses to grow and expand – a real, sustainable path to economic growth. Americans want to work, but an expanding government is holding us, and any hope of a widespread recovery, back."